China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is accelerating its advancements in the field of new energy storage, particularly in light of the goals set forth in the 2025 Government Work Report. This report emphasizes the cultivation of several national-level advanced manufacturing clusters, with emerging industries such as commercial aerospace, BeiDou applications, and new energy storage experiencing rapid development. Following this, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with seven other departments, issued an action plan aimed at promoting high-quality development in the new energy storage manufacturing sector.
The plan outlines ambitious targets: by 2027, China aims to establish a clear international competitive advantage across the entire new energy storage manufacturing chain, expand the ranks of leading enterprises, and significantly enhance the industry’s innovation and comprehensive competitiveness, all while pursuing high-end, intelligent, and green development.
As a leader in the new energy sector, CNNC is committed to driving technological innovation and industrial upgrades in energy storage. The company is making strides in various fields, including electrochemical storage, mechanical storage, electromagnetic storage, thermal storage, and hydrogen storage.
In the realm of electrochemical storage, CNNC’s Jiayuguan 500 MW/1000 MWh independent storage project stands out as a pilot demonstration project for new energy storage in Gansu Province during the 14th Five-Year Plan. It is also the province’s first large-scale electrochemical storage project with a capacity of over 100 MW. This project utilizes an innovative hybrid technology combining a 475 MW lithium iron phosphate storage system with a 25 MW (60 seconds) supercapacitor storage system, currently the largest supercapacitor system in the country.
Another notable project is the Xin Hua Wushi 500,000 kW/2,000,000 kWh grid-type storage project, situated in the Aheya photovoltaic park. This storage station has a total installed capacity of 500,000 kW/2,000,000 kWh, which includes 250,000 kW/1,000,000 kWh of lithium iron phosphate storage and 250,000 kW/1,000,000 kWh of all-vanadium flow storage. It also features the construction of a 220 kV booster station and a residential area. With a storage duration of four hours, the station can store up to 2,000,000 kWh of electricity, sufficient to meet the daily energy needs of approximately 300,000 households.
Additionally, the Tiangong 400 MWh storage station serves as an independent storage solution at the grid side. Recognized as a pilot demonstration project by the National Energy Administration in 2023, it is set to connect to the grid at full capacity by June 2024. This facility, the largest electrochemical storage project in Jiangsu Province, is tasked with significantly aiding the adjustment of the regional energy structure. Utilizing lithium iron phosphate batteries, it can provide up to 400,000 kWh of energy per charge/discharge cycle, enough for 40,000 households. The system can be fully charged in as little as two hours, with an efficiency of 96%.
Another significant initiative is the Xin Hua Sha Che 1,000,000 kW integrated solar storage station located in the Kashgar region of Xinjiang. This facility, featuring 154 battery units and 77 PCS booster inverter units, effectively mitigates the intermittent power output of photovoltaic systems and reduces wasted solar energy. It achieved full capacity grid connectivity in June 2023 and enhances power generation stability through its integration with the Altash Hydropower Hub, providing approximately 1.613 billion kWh of clean electricity annually to meet the needs of about 900,000 households.
The Yuanqu Energy Storage Station has a capacity of 200 MW/400 MWh, integrating a 240 MVA transformer connected via a 220 kV line to the Yuanqu 220 kV substation. This station comprises 60 storage units that can provide various services, including peak shaving, frequency regulation, black start, and demand response, significantly improving the electricity grid conditions in Shanxi Province.
In the field of compressed air energy storage, the CNNC 100 MW Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage Demonstration Project has a capacity of 100 MW/400 MWh. Launched in 2018, this project received support from the National Renewable Energy Demonstration Zone for industrial innovation and has been recognized as a significant technological equipment initiative by the National Energy Administration in 2021.
For thermal energy storage, the Yumen Solar Thermal Energy Storage + Photovoltaic + Wind Power Demonstration Project is set to achieve full capacity grid connectivity by September 2024. This project, with a total installed capacity of 700,000 kW, is part of the first batch of large-scale solar and wind bases in Gansu Province and represents CNNC’s first solar thermal demonstration project. The 100,000 kW solar thermal storage component is currently the world’s largest molten salt linear Fresnel solar thermal storage project in operation.
In the flywheel energy storage sector, CNNC plans to build a 100 MW flywheel energy storage station in Jingzhou District, divided into two phases, with the first phase comprising a 40 MW installation. This project has been selected as a pilot demonstration project by the National Energy Administration, providing a basis for the application of flywheel energy storage technology. Its full lifecycle is free from chemical pollution, with materials being 100% recyclable after decommissioning, boasting a lifespan of over 20 years—three to four times longer than lithium batteries—thereby reducing resource consumption frequency.
In hydrogen energy storage, the Keqiang Wind-Hydrogen-Ammonia Integration Demonstration Project is a grid-connected model with a planned wind power capacity of 500,000 kW, complemented by lithium iron phosphate energy storage. The hydrogen production capacity is set at 56,000 standard cubic meters per hour, with a maximum electricity consumption of approximately 280,000 kW. The project plans to install 56 alkaline electrolyzers, each capable of producing 1,000 standard cubic meters of hydrogen per hour, alongside 15 hydrogen storage tanks with a nominal volume of 1,750 cubic meters, allowing for a hydrogen storage capacity of 37.4 tons. By utilizing wind power for hydrogen production, this project aims to effectively stabilize the fluctuations of wind energy on the hydrogen production system, enhancing the operational efficiency of the electrolyzer equipment.
